TIPS on growing my network in a new city/state

[Emily Stauffer]

Hi Everyone!

I am new to the DFW area and have started a career in insurance! I'm originally from Philadelphia, PA, and went to school at the University of Missouri - I was a student-athlete on the track and field team. I earned my MBA while competing and working; it was an insane 5 years to say the least. Also looking for some tips and advice on the best ways to reach new people in a city/state that I have zero connections in (I love a good challenge).  Would love to connect via Linkedin and other platforms. 

Thanks in advance for the help!

Emily Stauffer (linkedin)

[Scott Trench]

Welcome, @Emily Stauffer! Great question. 

Here are some tips:

1) Search "DFW" or "Dallas" and filter by "members" in the search bar. Look for individuals with tons of posts and votes, and send them a colleague request here on BP. Invite them to lunch, dinner, coffee, or for beers and pick their brains. 

2) Check out local "Event" (Real Estate Classifieds section of the forums on the left hand side of your screen here) and show up and network. 

3) Set up a keyword alert for "DFW" or "Dallas" or "Fort Worth" / "Ft Worth" and get a notification - either here on BP and/or via email for those whenever they are talked about on the forums. Answer questions for new members who join and ask the question you pose here, tag agents/lenders/property managers in the area when they can add value to a discussion, and otherwise just help folks a few times per week, and see that rebound to your benefit as your network grows! 

4) Meet professionals and interview them as a potential client - you might start with local agents, and you can meet a few with the "Find an Agent" button at the top of the screen. Make sure to interview a handful of agents before locking in and signing an exclusive buyer agent deal. 

5) As an insurance professional, set a keyword for "insurance" questions, and answer those questions to the best your ability on the forums here. Not only will that help the person posting, but it will help the hundreds or thousands of people who also view that response, and many of them may reach out to you for help with their insurance needs over the course of dozens or hundreds of posts! 

Hope this helps!